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Avalanche Signs Codey Burki

by
Staff Writer
/ Colorado Avalanche

DENVER - The Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club announced Tuesday that the team has signed forward Codey Burki to a three-year, entry level contract.

Burki, 19, was Colorado's third selection (second round, 59th overall) in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. The Avalanche obtained that draft pick from the Calgary Flames on June 24, 2006 as part of a deal that brought defenseman Jordan Leopold and another second-round pick (2007 Entry Draft) to Colorado.

Burki finished tied for fifth in the Western Hockey League scoring race this season with 85 points (36g/49a) in 70 games for the Brandon Wheat Kings. Burki led the Wheat Kings in both assists and points and ranked second on the team in goals. He established career highs in all three scoring categories, as well as penalty minutes (83) and plus/minus (+6). The Winnipeg, Manitoba native finished 10th in the WHL in assists and tied for 11th in goals. He ranked among the league leaders in both power-play goals (18 - 7th) and PP assists (28 - 8th). Burki also led the Wheat Kings in playoff scoring with 11 points (6g/5a) in 11 postseason games.

Burki is scheduled to be in Denver for the Avalanche Development Camp beginning July 7 and will also take part in the Avalanche's training camp in September.

"Codey is coming off a great junior season," said Avalanche Executive Vice President and General Manager Francois Giguere. "He is part of the Avalanche future, along with several other prospects we have drafted over the last few years."

Burki spent the last four-plus seasons with Brandon, finishing his career with 181 points (74g/107a) in 263 games. He was one of 38 players named to Team Canada's World Junior selection camp in December of 2006. Burki led the Wheat Kings in scoring during the 2005-06 season with 61 points (27g/34a) and earned top player honors at the 2006 CHL Top Prospects Game that January in Ottawa.